Entertainment Weekly The Ultimate Guide to Stranger Things

Highly watched, highly acclaimed, and highly irresistible, Netflix's Stranger Things followed the scrappy heroes of Hawkins, Indiana, as they battled all manner of creepy creatures to save not just their hometown but the world. Entertainment Weekly's The Ultimate Guide to Stranger Things goes inside the hit series with cast interviews—including Winona Ryder, David Harbour, and Matthew Modine—as well as great moments, a dive into all five seasons, and so many set secrets (like how they made D&D villain Vecna look so real!). Plus, you can test your knowledge of all things '80s. It's an awesome keepsake of a groundbreaking show.

The Ultimate Guide to Stranger Things

There’s No Place Like Hawkins • Stranger Things delivered on all the thrills and chills you’d expect from a supernatural juggernaut. But the series’ true beating heart laid in its cast of engaging and empathetic heartland heroes.

The Winner Takes It All • IN THE SERIES’ CONCLUDING VOLUME, OUR HEROES FACE A FINAL BATTLE WITH THE FORCES OF THE UPSIDE DOWN—ONE THAT WILL DETERMINE THE FATE OF THE WORLD.

In Conversation With the Duffers • Stranger Things writers-directors-twin brothers Matt and Ross Duffer on their creative process, their shared inspirations—and whether they’ll ever go solo.

The Players Handbook • BEATING BACK THE FORCES OF EVIL TAKES AN ARMY. GET TO KNOW THE RAGTAG GROUP OF HEROES USING THEIR WITS (AND AN EXPERTLY WIELDED WEAPON OR TWO) TO CLAIM VICTORY

Growing Up Inside the Upside Down • The series’ youngest stars reflect on landing the roles that changed their lives, coming of age onscreen and building real-life bonds that will last long after the cameras stop rolling.

Winona Ryder & David Harbour • The two stars talk about their characters’ growth, filming in Lithuania and their favorite fan theories.

The Babysitters’ Club • From scooping ice cream to uncovering scoops, this gang can pretty much do it all—including help their younger counterparts slay all manner of supernatural foes.

Matthew Modine • The veteran actor, whose Dr. Brenner made a chilling reappearance in season 4, chats with EW about finding his character and concluding his story.

The Unsung Heroes

Seen It All in a Small Town • HAWKINS, INDIANA, IS HIDING SOME BIG SECRETS. WITH A LAB OF NEFARIOUS SCIENTISTS PRYING OPEN A PORTAL TO ANOTHER DIMENSION, IT’LL TAKE A GROUP OF HEROIC BEST FRIENDS (AND A TELEKINETIC NEWCOMER) TO SAVE THE WORLD.

Hidden Treasures • Blink and you’ll miss it. Here are just a few of the homages and references to bygone pop culture that writers snuck into Stranger Things’ very first season.

Something Strange in the Neighborhood • WITH THE DEMOGORGON DEFEATED, ALL RETURNS TO NORMAL IN HAWKINS. OR DOES IT? AS WILL STARTS HAVING VISIONS AND DUSTIN TAKES IN A NEW SUPERNATURAL PET, THE BATTLE WITH THE UPSIDE DOWN MAY NOT BE OVER.

Hidden Treasures • As the show entered its sophomore season, references and nods proliferated—and some things started to feel like they might even be connected.

Every Poster Tells a Story • Director-writers Matt and Ross Duffer took inspiration and plot cues from many classic films when developing Stranger Things. And in an homage to some of their favorites, they also developed art mimicking those films’ famous posters.

It’s the End of the World as We Know It • FORGET ORANGE JULIUS AND RADIOSHACK: THE NEW STARCOURT MALL IS HOME TO BIG SOVIET SECRETS THAT OUR HEROES MUST UNCOVER IF THEY’RE GOING TO PUT A STOP TO A DEADLY INTERNATIONAL INCIDENT.

Hidden Treasures • Whoa, things are getting complicated now! References to past seasons abound, and added to that are multiple nods to movies, television shows and other pop culture phenomena.

The Upside Down’s Growing Dimensions • Stranger...